Category: Healthy Eating

Tomato season is coming to an end

On By ChérineIn Cooking, Healthy Eating, Kitchen Experiments, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Whether you think it is a fruit or a vegetable, the tomato should be a staple in all kitchens. Sadly, once the end of October nears, I become deprived of this plump, succulent and essential pantry item.

There are several tomato varieties but I often gravitate to kumato and heirloom tomatoes. Kumato tomatoes are a brownish red and hail from Spain. Heirloom tomatoes vary in colour and shape. When at the market, I will spend several minutes looking at tomatoes, smelling them. I always look for that earthy, luscious smell. The scent of the vine still lingering.

tomatoes.jpg

Over the last few weeks, I have been getting my fill of tomatoes: in salads, tarts, quiches, sauces and everything in between.

Quiche
Feta, tomato and olive quiche
Tart
Heirloom tomato and goat cheese tart

 

Soon, the scent of the vine will fade and the colour will dissolve. But until then, tomatoes will be a constant in my fridge.

 

Kitchen experiments: Greek chicken lettuce cups

On By ChérineIn Cooking, Healthy EatingLeave a comment

It is rare that I feel like cooking with chicken, I just do not like the texture of raw poultry, but I was craving it today. Maybe it was my colleague asking about how to make tzatziki that triggered the craving, maybe it was the freshly dried oregano….

This evening’s dinner was my take on chicken souvlaki. Marinate the chicken breasts in garlic, oregano, lemon zest, lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil for a minimum of 2 hours.

The tzatziki requires a handful of ingredients: cucumber, garlic, mint (optional) and Greek yogurt.

Once the cucumber has been grated, squeeze out the excess water and add the garlic, a pinch  of salt and yogurt.

Grill the chicken breasts in a grill pan or on the barbecue.

20160604_184344

Always let the chicken sit for a few minutes once cooked in order to lock in the juices before slicing.

Load your bib lettuce leaves with chicken, slices of tomato, red onion and dollops of tzatziki. Et voilà!

20160604_185513

Bon apétit!

 

Sunday Kitchen Experiments: Cilantro Lime Chicken with Black Bean Rice

On By ChérineIn Cooking, Healthy Eating, Kitchen ExperimentsLeave a comment

The last few weeks have been very busy at work. By the time I get home, I do not feel like cooking anything so I have been resorting to unhealthy take out options.

I know this week is not going to be any different, so today I planned on cooking a meal that I could reheat in the next couple of days.

So here is my #pinterestwin.

What I loved about this recipe was how quick the prepping was. A handful of ingredients, one pot …

…and presto, dinner is served!

20160124_191136

Thank you @cookingclassy1 for the recipe.  http://www.cookingclassy.com/2015/04/one-pan-cilantro-lime-chicken-and-rice-with-black-beans/

BON APÉTIT!

 

Kitchen Experiments: Lemon Thyme Chicken with Arugula Salad

On By ChérineIn Cooking, Healthy Eating, Jamie Oliver2 Comments

I was home sick yesterday and since I could not focus on reading, I spent the bulk of the day watching TV. Nothing in particular, just quite a bit of zapping.

And then Jamie Oliver caught my eye. He was making rosemary chicken kebabs with a spinach, citrus and feta salad. I was still not 100% focused so I do not recall all the ingredients, but it stuck with me. Having been inspired yesterday, I tried my own hand at chicken skewers.

I marinated the chicken in garlic, thyme, lemon juice, olive oil and salt.
I marinated the chicken in garlic, thyme, lemon juice, olive oil and salt

I let the chicken marinade for a couple of hours before threading the pieces on wooden skewers.  And then onto the grill pan.

IMAG0236

While the chicken was grilling, I began the salad prep: sliced a bosc pear, crumbled some blue cheese and tossed it with arugula and a balsamic dressing.

Salad

Once the chicken was cooked, I removed it from the skewers et voilà!

Bon appétit!
Bon appétit!

Kitchen Experiments

On By ChérineIn Cooking, Healthy Eating, Kitchen ExperimentsLeave a comment

Some months ago I resolved to change the way I eat. Cooking for one was not enjoyable for me; spending so much time slaving over a stove and then eating over the sink was not quite what I imagined to be delightful.

So now, I make an effort to try new recipes. Once the meal has been prepared and plated, I take a photograph of it and post it on Instagram. It as become a way to be creative and relieve the day’s stresses.

On the menu this evening: Lemon Garlic Butter Cod with Green Beans and Beets.

Lemon Garlic Butter Cod

It was delicious.